Native American Heritage Month

$2 million for King County departments, agencies to increase language access services

Ask an expert: Compost advice for your public project

This December, join King County’s CompostWise for open hours with landscape architect and compost expert, Howard Stenn. Learn about the benefits of compost and ask advice specific to your project or program. If you’re wondering about compost for a restoration project, facility landscaping, or restoring soil health—we can help.

Sessions will be held Tuesday, Dec. 14 and Thursday, Dec. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Sign up for a 30-minute time slot here. To learn more about the CompostWise program, visit Kingcounty.gov/compostwise or reach out directly to Emily Coleman at ecoleman@kingcounty.gov.

Metro's Operators of the Month for September and October 2021

A commercial pilot “flying” for Metro. A driver whose grandfather, father, uncle, and brother are part of the Metro family. A Tlingit Tribe member who works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Native Americans. And someone who has traveled the world, but always found his way back to Seattle—and Metro!

They are members of a group with close to a combined 175 years behind the wheel. Meet your Operators of the Month for September and October 2021.

PeopleSoft updates – new login format and identity verification (MFA)

King County’s PeopleSoft login has changed. Employees now sign in with your King County network username (email@kingcounty.gov) and password. Additionally, PeopleSoft will get Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) security starting Wednesday, Dec. 1 that prompts you to verify your identity on a separate device such as a cell phone or digital fob. Whether you’re onsite or working remotely, please keep your MFA-enrolled device handy at all times.

For employees currently enrolled in MFA, no additional action is necessary. If you are not enrolled in MFA, you should do so immediately to maintain access to PeopleSoft. For assistance with MFA enrollment or if you’ve forgotten your network username/password, Executive branch employees should contact the KCIT Helpdesk. Employees in other branches may contact your department IT.

Connecting to VPN? Keep your MFA-device handy to verify your identity

Starting Wednesday, Dec. 1, King County’s AnyConnect VPN login experience will change. Each time you connect to VPN you must select your department from the drop-down list; if you don’t see your department, choose “KingCountyVPN-KC”.

Log in with your King County network username (email@kingcounty.gov) and password, then verify your identity on a separate device such as a cell phone or digital fob. This security feature is called Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Please keep your MFA-enrolled device handy at all times.

For employees currently enrolled in MFA, no additional action is necessary. If you are not enrolled in MFA, you should do so immediately to maintain access to VPN. For assistance with MFA enrollment, Executive branch employees should contact the KCIT Helpdesk. Separate-elect employees may contact your department IT. Read more details and instructions. 

Admin Building access changes begin Dec. 1

Starting on Wednesday, Dec. 1, employees will need to scan their badges for access to floor two through nine of the Administration Building. In addition, employees will need to scan their badges to open a new gate on the first floor of the main central stairwell to get to floors two through nine. The changes come as part of preparations for the permanent closure of the building.

Badges have already been coded for access. All you’ll need to do when boarding the elevator is scan your badge on the key card reader above the elevator controls.Elevator use for public access will remain open for floors T and one.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Facilities Management Division (FMD) Customer Care Services Team at 206-477-9400 or email: customercareservices.fmd@kingcounty.gov.

For after hours emergencies, or assistance with accessibility, please contact the FMD Emergency Dispatch Center at 206-296-5000.

Indigenous artist fellowship application deadline is Dec. 15

Indigenous artists in King County can now apply for 4Culture’s Arc Artist Fellowship, an award of $12,000 to support their creative practice in whatever way they need.

4Culture staff are on hand to help with the application. The deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 15. Click here for more information on eligibility and how to apply

Balanced You Coffee Connections: Share your favorite holiday traditions

We all have different ways of bringing in the holidays. Maybe it’s a pajama holiday movie marathon, cooking your favorite dishes, telling stories while drinking hot cocoa, or a family game night.

Take a break with Balanced You to share your favorite things to do with family and friends during the holidays.

• Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Register here.

Mental Health First Aid@Work training

Like CPR and physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid@Work trainings teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Participants will learn how to support an individual who may be experiencing mental illness and connect them to available resources internal and external of the workplace.

• Thursday, Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register here.

New fluid timesheets

If you enter time using the PeopleSoft timesheet, this message is for you! Your timesheet will be getting a makeover. Oracle is retiring the existing “classic” timesheet, so we are transitioning to the new fluid timesheet. Employees who use self-service time entry in PeopleSoft will start using the new timesheet when it launches on Monday, Dec. 6. 

New and existing training content for employees, timekeepers, and manager time approvers will be available in the PeopleSoft Knowledge Center under the “What’s New” section. Stay tuned, more details will be shared as we get closer to the launch date!

King County promotes ‘guilt-free garbage’

The King County Solid Waste Division wants to remind everyone as we head into the busy holiday shopping, shipping, packaging, and entertaining season that plastic bags, wrap, and other non-recyclable items should not be put in the recycling bin.

Click here to read the full story.